# Altitude

- Type: NTSB finding subsection
- Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft oper/perf/capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0106) › [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010620) › Altitude
- NTSB code: 01062012
- Cases: 1310
- In the probable cause: 1235
- Fatal cases: 478
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 94 / 97
- 2009: 65 / 73
- 2010: 57 / 63
- 2011: 74 / 75
- 2012: 78 / 81
- 2013: 62 / 64
- 2014: 97 / 97
- 2015: 64 / 65
- 2016: 69 / 71
- 2017: 77 / 78
- 2018: 76 / 80
- 2019: 65 / 68
- 2020: 66 / 71
- 2021: 57 / 63
- 2022: 57 / 65
- 2023: 56 / 66
- 2024: 57 / 67
- 2025: 45 / 46
- 2026: 19 / 20

## Defining events in these cases

- [Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220): 326 cases
- [Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120): 239 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 185 cases
- [Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490): 94 cases
- [Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470): 61 cases
- [Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500): 57 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 42 cases
- [VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401): 31 cases
- [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 28 cases
- [Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402): 25 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Robinson Helicopter R44 II](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44-ii): 39 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R22 BETA](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r22-beta): 25 cases
- [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44): 22 cases
- [Bell 206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-206b): 20 cases
- [Air Tractor AT-502B](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-502b): 19 cases
- [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m): 17 cases
- [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 15 cases
- [Air Tractor AT-802A](https://openairdocs.org/model/air-tractor-at-802a): 14 cases
- [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 12 cases
- [Bellanca 7GCBC](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7gcbc): 11 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 358 cases
- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 320 cases
- [Monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545) (Personnel issues): 303 cases
- [Wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032) (Environmental issues): 219 cases
- [Mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010) (Environmental issues): 138 cases
- [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 135 cases
- [Dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020) (Environmental issues): 85 cases
- [Incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015) (Personnel issues): 81 cases
- [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 79 cases
- [Identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510) (Personnel issues): 70 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB ERA26LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA311), Aug 21, 2026: HPH Glasflugel 304CZ (N304BS), Xenia, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: The glider’s encounter with atmospheric conditions where lift was not sufficient to maintain flight.
- [NTSB ERA26LA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA304), Aug 15, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R22 Beta (N8316N), Miramar, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter during a hover, which resulted in the left skid contacting ground and a subsequent dynamic rollover.
- [NTSB CEN26LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA286), Aug 1, 2026: Cessna T188C (N9998J), Randolph, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB ERA26LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA285), Jul 29, 2026: Bell 206L-3 (N29AE), Tuscumbia, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to keep the tail rotor clear of an obstacle while attempting to land.
- [NTSB ERA26LA284](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA284), Jul 24, 2026: Piper PA28 (N44704), Palmetto, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during low altitude maneuvering, which resulted in a collision with a fence.
- [NTSB CEN26LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA289), Jul 18, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R44 Raven 1 (N26EH), Scribner, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low-level altitude during an agricultural operation.
- [NTSB CEN26LA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA256), Jul 16, 2026: Robinson Helicopter R44 II (N322TC), Coralville, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level aerial application flight.
- [NTSB CEN26LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA209), May 30, 2026: Bellanca 7GCBC (N90932), Jonesboro, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the…
- [NTSB CEN26LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA196), May 24, 2026: Guenther Glen A Searey LSX (N379GG), Briarcliff, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude and aircraft control during the base to final turn, which resulted in the airplane impacting the water. Contributing to the accident was reported…
- [NTSB WPR26LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA196), May 17, 2026: Diamond DA40 (N787PV), Wells, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inability to maintain climb performance and clearance from mountainous terrain due to a downdraft.

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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